The President of Pakistan was accused of appeasing religious extremism and
urged to take a stronger stand against Islamic terrorists yesterday after
the only Christian in his Cabinet was murdered by gunmen claiming allegiance
to al-Qaeda.

Shahbaz Bhatti, singled out for his support for the reform of blasphemy laws,
was ambushed outside his parents’ house in Islamabad. Witnesses described
how two of the assailants tried to drag him from his car while a third sent
bursts of fire from a Kalashnikov rifle into the vehicle. Mr Bhatti was shot
eight times and declared dead on arrival in hospital, officials said.